Peter Michael Gawason, Sr., age 52, of Deptford, NJ, passed on from this life on Wednesday, November 14, 2018 at Cooper Medical Center, surrounded by his loving family. Pete was born in Woodbury, NJ, and raised in Deptford, NJ for 25 years. Pete attended Gloucester Catholic High School, where he met his future wife Christine, and was a graduate of the class of 1984. He was a pitcher for the Gloucester Catholic baseball team, during which time they won the ‘84 State Championship in his senior year. Pete attended Gloucester County College, where he continued his baseball career and graduated with an Associate degree in Business Administration in 1992. Pete then went on to graduate Magna Cum Laude from Rowan University in 2004 with a BS in Business Administration and was a member of the Beta Gamma Sigma Honor Society. He moved to Woodbury, NJ after marrying his high school sweetheart Christine in 1991, where he lived for 11 years. Pete later moved back to Deptford, NJ, where he and his family have resided for the past 14 years. Pete worked at Seaboard Automotive for 10 years, before going to work for Philadelphia Coca Cola, now Liberty Coca Cola, in 1995, where he’s been employed as a Field Service Manager for the past 23 years.
Pete is the beloved husband of 27 years to Christine (nee Witasick) and loving father to his twin children Peter Michael, Jr., and Alexis Nicole. Pete’s greatest joy was his children. He will forever be loved and greatly missed...taken from us too soon.
Pete was an avid Phillies and Eagles fan and enjoyed watching and attending games with his family. He enjoyed playing golf, watching movies, and spending summer vacations in Sea Isle City. Pete continued to play baseball for another 20 years after college for the Deptford Tri County baseball team. He coached his children in multiple sports through the years from tee ball and coach pitch, to soccer and basketball. He then continued to coach his son in various levels of Deptford Little League baseball from the minor and major league divisions, to the junior and senior league divisions, and was the assistant coach of his son’s TSE teams. Pete was a member of St. Margaret’s Men’s Club for many years. He was president of the Lakes at Bankbridge Homeowner’s Association for the last 13 years.
Pete is predeceased by his parents Walter and Anna, and a brother Gregory Sr. He is survived by a brother John (Sally) and many loving nieces and nephews.
Family and friends are invited to visit from 6:00 pm to 8:00 pm on Tuesday, November 20th at Smith Funeral Home, 47 Main Street, Mantua, New Jersey 08051 and Wednesday, November 21st from 9:00 am to 10:30 am at Infant Jesus Parish at St. Margaret's Church, 845 Third Street Woodbury Heights, NJ 08097. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 11:00 am, with interment following at Wenonah Cemetery.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in Pete’s memory to Gloucester Catholic High School or Gloucester Catholic Athletic Association, 333 Ridgeway Street, Gloucester City, NJ, 08030.
Memories and condolences can be shared at www.smithfhmantua.com